MANILA, Nov. 26, 2012?On the third anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre, Akap Bata, the only registered children’s advocate party list, demanded the end of the Maguindano massacre perpetrators’ criminal impunity, while calling for clean 2013 elections.
The Walk for Hope on November 23 recognized how election violence continues to be a threat that needs to be addressed in 2013.
“[This] culture of impunity is not the kind of culture we want our children to inherit,” said Akap Bata Secretary General Arlene Brosas during the Walk for HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) 2012 last Friday.
Challenging the Aquino administration to bring all those involved in the mass murder to justice, Brosas said, “If the President truly supports what is right and just, then he must lead his government urgently to solve the case and bring justice to the victims.”
The party list then reiterated, the Aquino administration needs to show some grit in bringing the culprits to justice, pointing out that only two of the alleged perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre are in jail.
For Brosas, the Maguindanao case is another reason to push for clean elections this coming 2013, noting also how the massacre belies the claims of some that the 2010 elections were ‘generally peaceful’.
People’s International Observers Mission (PIOM) pointed out that in 2010 they witnessed vote-buying, military involvement in the election process, and assassinations of politicians, among others.
It is reported that many of the relatives of Ampatuans are running for elective positions in the coming elections.
Maguindanaoans and even the families of the victims have expressed fear that the case may not see just closure or that the impunity will continue.
Students from Letran College, Universidad de Manila – High School and families from Intramuros participated in the Walk for HOPE.
The event was organized in cooperation with the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth, AkapsaBata Philippines, and the Jose Burgos Media Center. [Mark Vertido/Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]
